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Guides you through the decision to have chorionic villus sampling. Explains what CVS is and how it is done. Discusses birth defects. Looks at the risks and benefits of CVS. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Pregnancy: Should I Have CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling)?

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

CVS (chorionic
villus sampling) is a test that is done to see if your baby may be born with
certain kinds of serious health problems.

CVS is usually done
between weeks 10 and 12 of a woman's pregnancy. But it's not a routine test.
Your doctor may recommend it if a
fetal ultrasound and blood tests suggest that your
chances of having a baby with a
genetic disorder or birth defect are higher than
average. Or you may already know that your chances are higher because of your
age and family history.

Chorionic villi are tiny finger-shaped
growths in the
placenta. The genetic material in these cells is the
same as that in the baby's cells. Early in your pregnancy, a doctor can take a
sample of these cells and check them for certain health problems.

Even if the results from your CVS are normal, it doesn't
guarantee that your baby will be born healthy. No test can do that. For
example, CVS can't find many common problems, such as defects of the heart,
stomach,
intestines, or brain and spine (neural tube defect). A blood test (alpha-fetoprotein test) may be done early in your
second trimester to check for some of these defects.

There is
another test that can be done during your second trimester that looks for both
genetic disorders and neural tube defects. This test is called
amniocentesis. It's usually done between weeks 15 and
20 of your pregnancy.

Some women choose to wait
until they can have amniocentesis. Others choose to have CVS in their first
trimester. If it shows a serious problem, they have more time to make decisions
about their pregnancy.

The test can
tell you if your baby may be born with certain kinds of serious health
problems. Many parents are not prepared to care for a baby who is sick or has a
birth defect. Information that you get from this test can help you and your
partner plan for the future.

If the test finds that your baby has
a genetic disorder or a birth defect, you and your partner may be faced with a
tough decision about whether to continue the pregnancy. It may be helpful to
talk with your doctor and a
genetic counselor. They can help you understand your
baby's health problem and what to expect when he or she is born.

Results from the test can also help you decide where to have your baby.
If your baby will need surgery or special care, you can plan to have your baby
in a hospital that has special services for newborns, such as a neonatal
intensive care unit.

A CVS test has some
risks. You'll have to weigh the benefit of knowing if something might be wrong
with your baby against the risks of having the test.

There is a
small chance that the test may cause you to have a
miscarriage. This means that you could lose your baby
after you have the test. But when the test is done by highly trained doctors,
the risk of having a miscarriage is small.

In one study of women who had CVS performed
by a highly trained doctor, about 1 out of 400 women had a miscarriage after
the test, while 399 did not.1

Other risks include:

Infection. There is a
chance that you could get an infection in your
uterus.

Bleeding.
There is a very small chance that you could bleed during the test. If this
happens, your blood may mix with your baby's blood. This is only a problem if
your blood is Rh-negative and your baby's is Rh-positive, because you could
have an immune system response called
Rh sensitization. If you're at risk for Rh
sensitization, you'll be given a vaccine to prevent it.

Arm or leg defect. There is a chance that your baby may be born with an arm or leg
defect. But this is rare, especially if the test is done after week 10 of your
pregnancy.

Your age. As you get older, you have a greater chance of
having a baby with a birth defect. Many doctors use 35 or older as the age for
higher risk.

Your need to know about any problems with your
baby.

What you might do if the test shows a
problem.

Whether you can afford to pay for the test. CVS can cost a
lot, and the test is not offered in all places. Most insurance companies will
cover the cost of the test if you have certain risk factors that may increase
your baby's chance of having a serious health problem. A risk factor is
something—such as your age or family history—that raises your risk of having a
certain health problem.

Personal stories about chorionic villus sampling

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

My doctor
talked to me about the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. I understand
that at my age, the risk starts to go up. I had a second cousin with Down
syndrome, so I know what that's like. I would end the pregnancy if it turned
out the baby had it, so I am going to have CVS and find out.

Georgia, age 35

My doctor
told me there is a risk of having a baby with problems because of my age. But
testing wouldn't change my mind. It has taken me 5 years to get pregnant. I
won't do anything that might cause me to lose the baby.

Patricia, age 39

My husband and I are Jewish, so we had
genetic testing and found out we are both carriers of Tay-Sachs disease. We
will definitely have CVS to find out if our baby has it. We want children but
not if they will have that awful disease. If this pregnancy doesn't work out,
we will try again.

Sabrina, age 32

I want to find out if my baby has any
problems so I can be prepared. But no matter what, I wouldn't end the
pregnancy, so I am going to wait and have amnio. I had it done with my second
child. I feel more comfortable having it again instead of a different test, and
I don't need to find out in the first trimester.

Coco, age 43

What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to have CVS

Reasons not to have CVS

I want to have the test, because I'm worried that something might be wrong with my baby.

I'm not worried that something might be wrong with my baby.

More important

Equally important

More important

I want to know if my baby has a birth defect so I have time to prepare to care for a child with special needs.

Knowing that my baby has a birth defect won't change the way I plan to care for my child.

More important

Equally important

More important

I want to know if my baby has a birth defect so I have time to decide if I want to continue my pregnancy.

I don't have insurance, and I can't afford to pay for the test myself.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Having CVS

NOT having CVS

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1.

Can a CVS test guarantee that your baby will be born healthy?

YesSorry, that's not right. Even though CVS can find certain problems, it can't guarantee that your baby will be born healthy. No test can do that.

NoThat's right. Even though CVS can find certain problems, it can't guarantee that your baby will be born healthy. No test can do that.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." Even though CVS can find certain problems, it can't guarantee that your baby will be born healthy. No test can do that.

2.

Does CVS have some risks?

YesThat's right. CVS has some risks, including a small chance of causing a miscarriage.

NoSorry, that's not right. CVS has some risks, including a small chance of causing a miscarriage.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." CVS has some risks, including a small chance of causing a miscarriage.

3.

Should all pregnant women have CVS?

YesSorry, that's not right. CVS isn't a routine test. But your doctor may recommend CVS if your chances of having a baby with a genetic disorder or birth defect are higher than average.

NoThat's right. CVS isn't a routine test. But your doctor may recommend CVS if your chances of having a baby with a genetic disorder or birth defect are higher than average.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." CVS isn't a routine test. But your doctor may recommend CVS if your chances of having a baby with a genetic disorder or birth defect are higher than average.

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Pregnancy: Should I Have CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling)?

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

Get the facts

Compare your options

What matters most to you?

Where are you leaning now?

What else do you need to make your decision?

1. Get the Facts

Your options

Have CVS (chorionic villus sampling).

Don't have CVS.

Key points to remember

CVS is done in the first trimester. If the test shows
a serious health problem, you have more time to decide whether you want to
continue your pregnancy or make plans to care for a sick child.

CVS
isn't a routine test. But your doctor may recommend it if your chances of
having a baby with a genetic disorder or birth defect are higher than
average.

Even though CVS can find certain problems, it can't
guarantee that your baby will be born healthy. No test can do
that.

CVS has some risks, including a small chance of causing a
miscarriage.

FAQs

What is CVS?

CVS (chorionic
villus sampling) is a test that is done to see if your baby may be born with
certain kinds of serious health problems.

CVS is usually done
between weeks 10 and 12 of a woman's pregnancy. But it's not a routine test.
Your doctor may recommend it if a
fetal ultrasound and blood tests suggest that your
chances of having a baby with a
genetic disorder or birth defect are higher than
average. Or you may already know that your chances are higher because of your
age and family history.

Chorionic villi are tiny finger-shaped
growths in the
placenta. The genetic material in these cells is the
same as that in the baby's cells. Early in your pregnancy, a doctor can take a
sample of these cells and check them for certain health problems.

What information can CVS provide?

Chorionic villus sampling can tell you if your baby
may be at risk for having:

Even if the results from your CVS are normal, it doesn't
guarantee that your baby will be born healthy. No test can do that. For
example, CVS can't find many common problems, such as defects of the heart,
stomach,
intestines, or brain and spine (neural tube defect). A blood test (alpha-fetoprotein test) may be done early in your
second trimester to check for some of these defects.

There is
another test that can be done during your second trimester that looks for both
genetic disorders and neural tube defects. This test is called
amniocentesis. It's usually done between weeks 15 and
20 of your pregnancy.

Some women choose to wait
until they can have amniocentesis. Others choose to have CVS in their first
trimester. If it shows a serious problem, they have more time to make decisions
about their pregnancy.

How is CVS done?

Chorionic villi cells can be
collected in one of two ways. During the test, your doctor may:

Put a thin, flexible tube called a catheter
through your vagina and cervix into the placenta. This is called transcervical
CVS.

Put a long, thin needle through your belly into the placenta.
This is called transabdominal CVS.

The doctor uses ultrasound to guide the catheter or
needle to the right spot.

What are the benefits of having CVS?

The test can
tell you if your baby may be born with certain kinds of serious health
problems. Many parents are not prepared to care for a baby who is sick or has a
birth defect. Information that you get from this test can help you and your
partner plan for the future.

If the test finds that your baby has
a genetic disorder or a birth defect, you and your partner may be faced with a
tough decision about whether to continue the pregnancy. It may be helpful to
talk with your doctor and a
genetic counselor. They can help you understand your
baby's health problem and what to expect when he or she is born.

Results from the test can also help you decide where to have your baby.
If your baby will need surgery or special care, you can plan to have your baby
in a hospital that has special services for newborns, such as a neonatal
intensive care unit.

What are the risks of CVS?

A CVS test has some
risks. You'll have to weigh the benefit of knowing if something might be wrong
with your baby against the risks of having the test.

There is a
small chance that the test may cause you to have a
miscarriage. This means that you could lose your baby
after you have the test. But when the test is done by highly trained doctors,
the risk of having a miscarriage is small.

In one study of women who had CVS performed
by a highly trained doctor, about 1 out of 400 women had a miscarriage after
the test, while 399 did not.1

Other risks include:

Infection. There is a
chance that you could get an infection in your
uterus.

Bleeding.
There is a very small chance that you could bleed during the test. If this
happens, your blood may mix with your baby's blood. This is only a problem if
your blood is Rh-negative and your baby's is Rh-positive, because you could
have an immune system response called
Rh sensitization. If you're at risk for Rh
sensitization, you'll be given a vaccine to prevent it.

Arm or leg defect. There is a chance that your baby may be born with an arm or leg
defect. But this is rare, especially if the test is done after week 10 of your
pregnancy.

What should you think about before having CVS?

Before you decide to have CVS, you might think about:

Your chance of passing on a family disease to
your baby.

Your age. As you get older, you have a greater chance of
having a baby with a birth defect. Many doctors use 35 or older as the age for
higher risk.

Your need to know about any problems with your
baby.

What you might do if the test shows a
problem.

Whether you can afford to pay for the test. CVS can cost a
lot, and the test is not offered in all places. Most insurance companies will
cover the cost of the test if you have certain risk factors that may increase
your baby's chance of having a serious health problem. A risk factor is
something—such as your age or family history—that raises your risk of having a
certain health problem.

Why might your doctor recommend CVS?

Your doctor
may advise you to have CVS if:

Other tests suggest that your chance of
having a baby with a genetic disorder or birth defect is higher than
average.

You or your partner has a family history of genetic
disorders or birth defects.

You or your partner carries an
abnormal gene that is known to cause a certain disease.

You already
have a child who has Down syndrome or another
chromosomal defect.

You want to know if your baby has a serious health problem so
you can decide early whether you want to continue your pregnancy or make plans
to care for a sick child.

2. Compare your options

Have CVS

Don't have CVS

What is usually involved?

The test is usually done in a doctor's
office or hospital.

You lie on your back while your doctor uses an
ultrasound to guide either:

A thin, flexible tube (catheter) through
your vagina and cervix into the placenta.

A thin needle
through your belly into the placenta.

You may feel some discomfort, such as cramping,
during the test.

You can go home after the test.

You have regular prenatal exams
and blood tests to check for any signs of problems.

What are the benefits?

You find out early in your pregnancy if
your baby has a genetic disorder or birth defect.

Information from the test can help you to:

Decide if you want to continue your
pregnancy.

Make plans to care for a baby who is sick or has a birth
defect.

Choose a hospital that specializes in caring for newborns
with serious health problems.

You avoid the cost of CVS.

You avoid the risks from having CVS.

What are the risks and side effects?

Possible risks include:

A
miscarriage.

An
infection.

Bleeding.

An arm or leg defect in the
baby.

You won't know if
your baby has a severe birth defect until after he or she is
born.

Birth could be harder on you or your baby if the doctor doesn't know
ahead of time that there is a problem.

Personal stories

Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These
personal stories
may help you decide.

Personal stories about chorionic villus sampling

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

"My doctor talked to me about the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. I understand that at my age, the risk starts to go up. I had a second cousin with Down syndrome, so I know what that's like. I would end the pregnancy if it turned out the baby had it, so I am going to have CVS and find out."

— Georgia, age 35

"My doctor told me there is a risk of having a baby with problems because of my age. But testing wouldn't change my mind. It has taken me 5 years to get pregnant. I won't do anything that might cause me to lose the baby."

— Patricia, age 39

"My husband and I are Jewish, so we had genetic testing and found out we are both carriers of Tay-Sachs disease. We will definitely have CVS to find out if our baby has it. We want children but not if they will have that awful disease. If this pregnancy doesn't work out, we will try again."

— Sabrina, age 32

"I want to find out if my baby has any problems so I can be prepared. But no matter what, I wouldn't end the pregnancy, so I am going to wait and have amnio. I had it done with my second child. I feel more comfortable having it again instead of a different test, and I don't need to find out in the first trimester."

— Coco, age 43

3. What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to have CVS

Reasons not to have CVS

I want to have the test, because I'm worried that something might be wrong with my baby.

I'm not worried that something might be wrong with my baby.

More important

Equally important

More important

I want to know if my baby has a birth defect so I have time to prepare to care for a child with special needs.

Knowing that my baby has a birth defect won't change the way I plan to care for my child.

More important

Equally important

More important

I want to know if my baby has a birth defect so I have time to decide if I want to continue my pregnancy.

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